Getting Back into the Swing of Things

By Jimmy Kelly

@jimmy3_k

Last week I took a trip to San Francisco. It was great to step away from the everyday routine to relax and have fun. One thing I am finding out after being back is that I am struggling with getting back into the swing of things. I don’t mean that I’m way behind on work and there is an insurmountable mountain that I’m trudging up; I was fortunate enough to reach the apex of that mountain Tuesday afternoon. From the work standpoint, I’m back in the swing of things. From my mental standpoint, I’m wishing I was still in the rolling hills of California.

I’m finding that my emotions and logical sense are conflicted about where I want to be life right now. I’ve only been in my position for a little over a year now. From a professional experience standpoint, I don’t feel prepared/ready to change positions. There’s still a ton for me to learn, more ways for me to grow and develop, and more for me to accomplish. Some people have this sense of self that they plan to stay at an institution and will know when it’s time to leave when they feel they’ve accomplished all that they could, that they have achieved their career goals and are looking for the latest and greatest challenge. I’m not of that mindset 100%, though I do feel that I still have a purpose here with the students and with developing my professional self. But still in the back of my mind, there is this sense of desire to be one of those people who just up and leaves for a new location…for an adventure.

I’ve had more of a hard time returning to everyday life and the work routine than I’ve ever had from any break or vacation. On Monday, a co-worker and I had a conversation over lunch were I basically confessed my disinterest and lack of desire to be “here” now. I know this feeling will pass in time and I’ll come down from that post-vacation high to get back into the routine of going to work to face the new daily challenges and come home to my girlfriend and orange Garfield-like cat. But now more than ever, I’m realizing a desire to see more than Florida (where I grew up, went to college, grad school, and now work) and experience life in a new location.

I don’t anticipate re-starting the job search in the immediate future – I enjoy my job and my location. I just know that there’s so much more out there to explore and experience. Who knows where life will take me from here, at this I can’t help but longfor a change of pace. I know there’s plenty of things to do where I live, I’ve probably done a lot of them, so I’m making a goal for myself to find more.Cheers to another week of adventure!